Locals Warn Of Food Shortage In Two Districts Of Nuristan

Taliban officials in Kunar have not yet commented on the strikes. Previously, the group reported Pakistani attacks in Paktika, while residents in Khost also reported similar incidents.

The attacks come after talks between Pakistani officials and Taliban representatives in Urumqi, China, ended without result on April 1. Earlier rounds of negotiations mediated by Qatar, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia had also failed.

The main sticking point in the talks remains the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan. Islamabad says the group launches attacks from Afghan territory, an accusation the Taliban deny.

Pakistan has called on the Taliban to expel Pakistani militants from Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s disaster management authority said on Saturday, April 11, that since the start of the month, at least 238 people have been injured and nine killed due to rain, flooding, earthquakes and landslides.

Figures from the agency show that around 1,400 homes have been fully or partially destroyed, and thousands of acers of farmland have been lost.

Taj Mohammad Hemat, deputy spokesman of the Taliban’s disaster management authority, said more than 8,000 families have been affected by recent disasters, and over 18,000 livestock have died.

Speaking at an online memorial on Saturday, April 11, for members of Afghanistan’s Freedom Front, Massoud said: “The only way to make proper use of opportunities is coordination.”

He rejected claims that the Taliban have no alternative, saying such narratives are part of a strategy to suggest that without them, there would be chaos and war.

He added that political groups share consensus on key principles and pointed to recent meetings among Taliban opponents as proof that unity is possible.

Massoud also referred to developments in Iran, saying one of the key lessons was the importance of unity during times of conflict.

He concluded: “Our greatest strength is not countries, aircraft or weapons, but our people. The public must not lose hope, grow weary or fall into conspiracies.”

One eyewitness told Afghanistan International that families were eating when armed men took their phones. He said he had moved away from the scene and then heard gunfire and women screaming.

He added that ambulances arrived about two hours later and that a nearby Taliban vehicle did not immediately respond. According to him, Taliban forces arrived gradually after the attackers had fled.

“Everyone was killed. It was like Karbala, there were many bodies, and they were taken to a mosque,” he said.

The witness said he initially thought the attackers were Taliban morality police checking women.

Residents of Deh Mehri village said families had gathered for a picnic and pilgrimage.

Images and videos obtained by Afghanistan International show a scene marked by violence, with tents, clothing and shoes left behind.

Residents also shared footage showing a stream stained with blood.

Four gunmen reportedly opened fire on Shia civilians around 3pm on Friday in Deh Mehri.

Locals had gathered near a shrine, spending time together and sharing food when the attack occurred.

The Taliban said at least 11 people were killed and others injured, but eyewitnesses believe the toll is higher.

A Herat resident said in a video circulating online that a nearby stream had turned red with the victims’ blood, pointing to the area where the shooting took place.

No group has claimed responsibility, though ISIS-K has previously carried out attacks on Shia civilians in Herat and other parts of Afghanistan.

In another video, a local resident said the gunmen lined up civilians in the courtyard of a shrine before opening fire.

Taj Mohammad Hemat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban’s disaster management authority, said in a video message on Saturday, April 11, that the incidents caused casualties and damage in Kabul, Parwan, Panjshir, Paktia, Paktika, Ghazni, Kandahar, Farah, Badghis, Balkh, Sar-e Pol, Faryab, Badakhshan, Nangarhar, Laghman and Kunar.

He added that most of the deaths were caused by house collapses and people drowning in floods.

According to the official, at least 123.5 acres of agricultural land were destroyed by flooding over the past two days.

A total of 451 homes were damaged during this period, including 48 destroyed and 104 severely damaged.

The Taliban’s disaster authority said that since March 26, at least 189 people have died due to natural disasters, including heavy rain, flooding, landslides and roof collapses.

It added that 238 people have been injured in such incidents over the same period.

Heavy rainfall and flooding have continued across most provinces since March 26.

The UN’s humanitarian coordination office previously reported that more than 73,000 people had been affected by recent flooding and rainfall across Afghanistan.